Scientists have revealed the three-dimensional structure of the human dopamine transporter, pinpointing for the first time a novel druggable site that blocks uptake of a neurotransmitter tied to motivation.
The human dopamine transporter, or hDAT, is an important target for pharmaceuticals aimed at treating several neurological disorders, such as ADHD, and is also a target for illicit drugs, including amphetamines and cocaine.
The discovery, published today in the journal Nature, could enable the development of new therapeutic drugs for treating ADHD, depression and addiction.